Asia-Pacific
Colombia: New coronavirus measures
- Commercial international flights resume to Brazil, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and the U.S.
- With the progressive reopening of air borders, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests will have to be presented with a negative result for Covid-19. Presentation must not exceed 96 hours prior to the flight.
- It is now possible to process the issuance and duplication of foreign nationals’ identity cards, visa registration for minors and adults, certificates of migratory movements, safe-conducts, Special Permits for the Promotion of Formalization to stay (PEP-FF), Temporary Stay Permits (PTP) for extensions of stay in the national territory, and category changes. Note: The above processes require prior appointment and delays are expected.
- Foreign nationals whose visas expired during the state of emergency have one month (starting September 21) to apply for safe-conduct.
- Foreign nationals who have been granted Permission to Enter and Stay (PIP) at the entrance to the country will have their conditions of stay reinstated.
- Services of BIOMIG and Automatic Migration resume.
No source available at the time of writing.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director, Immigration.
Asia-Pacific
China: Work Permit application improvements in Shanghai
The Shanghai Foreign Expert Bureau has introduced measures to facilitate applications for Work Permits in Shanghai. The most significant allowing longer-term work permits for B-level holders.
- The temporary provision, processing all applications online for the following, will now become regular process.
- A-level: all new applications, extensions, and amendments for Notification Letters and Work Permits.
- B/C levels: applications for Notification Letters, extensions and cancellations of Work Permits; new applications for Work Permits still require onsite submission of documents.
- Approval process shortened to 10 working days for A-level and 15 working days for B/C levels.
- A-level applicants qualified for the category via methods other than having a salary six times the city average (2019) can obtain a Work Permit for up to five years.
- A-level applicants with a sufficiently high salary will be issued Work Permits for no more than one year (no change from current regulations).
- Renewals are subject to contract/assignment validity (no change from current regulations).
- B-level applicants qualified for having at least two years’ relevant work experience and a Bachelor’s degree can apply for a two-year Work Permit (subject to contract validity).
- Foreign nationals who have changed employers, have retained their job title, and remain in China within one month of the Ting Liu visa after cancellation of their original Residence Permit do not need to provide a non-crime record, physical examination report or employment certificate.
- Foreign nationals who transfer between subsidiaries in the same group, have retained their job title, and remain in China within one month of the Ting Liu visa after cancellation of their original Residence Permit do not need to provide a non-crime record, diploma, physical examination report or employment certificate. They can also benefit from online Work Permit application.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Shanghai Science and Technology Committee (in Chinese).
Japan: Business Track framework between Japan and Singapore
On September 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) introduced the framework of Business Track with Singapore. If applicants fulfill a number of required conditions, a reciprocal agreement is placed for limited business visit activities. Points to note include:
- The Business Track is only for business purposes.
- Submission of a “Schedule of Activities in Japan” is also required among other necessary documents.
- The Business Track enables limited business activities during the 14-day stay at home/hotel period (partially relaxed restrictions on such activities).
- Duration of stay in Japan must be within 30 days.
- It applies for persons residing in Singapore and traveling on a flight between Japan and Singapore.
- For the time being, dependent status of residence holders are not eligible to accompany their family members.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
South Africa: Eased coronavirus restrictions
South Africa is moving to alert level 1 with the opening of its borders for international travel on October 1, 2020. Some flights from high-risk countries may be restricted.
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- Entry will only be possible via the open land border posts or one of the three main airports: King Shaka (Durban), Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town International.
- New arrivals must present a negative Covid-19 test result no older than 72 hours from the time of departure. Without a valid negative test result, the individual will be placed in mandatory quarantine at their own cost.
- Travelers will be required to install the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app and undergo a screening process. Those presenting symptoms will be placed in quarantine until the result of a repeat Covid-19 test is known.
- South African missions abroad will open for visa applications and all long-term visas will be reinstated.
- The Department of Home Affairs will resume normal operations, which implies the full resumption of processing all visa, permit and related applications at the central permitting hub in Pretoria.
No source available at the time of writing.
Switzerland: New quarantine rules
The quarantine rules for persons entering Switzerland from neighboring countries will be applied to those regions where infection rates are over the limit (but not the entire country).
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the The Federal Council.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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